How do we build and experience a sense of place? What are the values and lore associated with “place” and how can they be altered by external forces? What is changing in how we live? What role does place play in today’s increasingly virtual world? During this year’s Alumni Seminar, UGA’s annual two-day educational gathering that features lectures, tours and interactive seminars, we explored these questions through various lenses. Thank you to those who were able to join us!

The entire UGA community – alumni, family, friends and fans – is invited to participate in Alumni Seminar to learn why UGA is one of America’s leading public research universities. Information about the 2018 Alumni Seminar will be shared in late 2017.

2017 Keynote speaker

Roy Blount Jr.

Author, humorist and panelist on NPR’s Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me Roy Blount Jr. is the author of 24 books, a panelist on NPR’s Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me, a former president of the Authors Guild, a member of the Fellowship of Southern Authors and a usage consultant with the American Heritage Dictionary. He is from Decatur, Georgia, but now splits his time between Massachusetts, New York City and New Orleans. He is a 2016 inductee of the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame.

Accommodations

Hotel accommodations are not included in the seminar registration fee. Please be sure to secure lodging separately. If you have any questions, please email kcfite@uga.edu.

Agenda

Remarks from UGA President Jere W. Morehead during which he will discuss his perspective on UGA and its role in meeting the needs of the state and nation.

A presentation by Lucy Lawliss, a UGA alumna and former historical landscape architect for the U.S. National Park Service, former park superintendent of Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park and George Washington Birthplace National Monument, and co-chair of the National Association for Olmsted Parks.

A campus tour highlighting UGA’s new and recently renovated facilities.

A discussion on climate and place by J. Marshall Shepherd, the Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor, director of the UGA Atmospheric Sciences Program and host of The Weather Channel’s Sunday talk show Weather Geeks.

An interactive session on virtual reality led by Grace Ahn, founding director of the Grady College Games and Virtual Environments Lab.

A presentation on the tiny house movement by Kim Skobba, an assistant professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences who co-teaches a service-learning course in which students design and build tiny houses to provide low-cost housing for rural communities.